The Crowd:

Late last summer Newport’s Perle MestaPerle Mesta, a.k.a. Gloria Zigner, called and she was worried.

“You sound stressed,” I said, immediately picking up on her tone, which is never downbeat.

When a recent earthquake prompted a tsunami warning on Newport’s south-facing beaches, Zigner would be planning a picnic at the shore. That’s just the kind of gal she is.

“The economy is so difficult, how am I even going to raise enough money to support next year’s Children Hospital Follies?” she asked. “And I need to raise the minimum donor level. Will they run for the hills?”

Well, they did run. But not for the hills. Zigner and company attracted a major force of dedicated citizens, some returning pros, others new, fresh and green — all ready to sing and dance and “put on a show” to raise needed support for Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Last week in Costa Mesa, the stellar cast of some 100 players led by the star of the show, S. Paul Musco, put on the XIII CHOC Follies, billed as “The Wizard of OC.” At the end of the three-day run on the boards of Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, an astounding $800,000 was raised.

In the 13-year run, only one other time, in far better economic circumstances, did the Follies raise more money. Zigner’s fears were certainly erased as this year’s donations bring the total amount raised for CHOC to more than $5 million net.

“It really was our best show ever,” Zigner said. “Absolutely fantastic. Now it’s time to start working on show No. 14!”

A great deal of the credit belongs to the super dedicated co-chairs, who have returned year after year to make the event happen. Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Leslie Cancellieri and Dale Skiles all deserve O.C. “Tony Awards” as producers. It could not have happened without their effort.

Zigner was quick to point out the importance of lead character Musco.

“He set the tone for success,” she said. “What a delight to work with. The cast adored him. The audience cheered. And his wife, Mary Belle Musco, was our inspired muse!”

Musco also contributed a significant $60,000 donation to CHOC. A star with a checkbook is a winning combination, indeed.

The show was directed by John Vaughan, with musical direction by Doug Austin and choreography by Lee Martino. Cast members deserving kudos include Mary Lyons, Jim McAleer, Heidi Miller, Mark Pilon, Juliet Fischer-Schulein and Samantha Goldstein.

CHOC was one of eight children’s hospitals in the nation named in 2009 as outstanding hospitals. CHOC earned the Silver Level CAPE award from the California Council of Excellence, the only children’s hospital in California to be so honored.

Bravo Zigner, cast, crew, volunteers, donors and audiences who supported the effort. The sum of $800,000 will help numerous children and their families survive the most difficult times that any child could face.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.